Medieval Naval Warfare 1000-1500 (Warfare and History)

Medieval Naval Warfare 1000-1500 (Warfare and History)

Susan Rose

Language: English

Pages: 176

ISBN: 041523977X

Format: PDF / Kindle (mobi) / ePub

How were medieval navies organised, and how did powerful rulers use them? Medieval Naval Warfare, 1000-1500 provides a wealth of information about the strategy and tactics of these early fleets and the extent to which the possibilities of sea power were understood and exploited. This fascinating account brings vividly to life the dangers and difficulties of medieval seafaring. In particular, it reveals the exploits of the Italian city states, England and France and examines:* why fighting occurred at sea* how battles were fought* the logistical back up needed to maintain a fleet* naval battles from the Mediterranean to the North Sea.

enemy in these conditions, it is a great tribute to the skills of Catalan seamen. The battle of the Counts in June 1287 (so-called because the Angevin forces were commanded by Count Robert of Artois assisted by the counts of Avella, Brienne, Montpelier and Aquila) took place in the Bay of Naples probably in much the same area as that of 1284. This has led to the suspicion that in some chronicles the accounts of the two engagements are conflated. There seems to be general agreement that Lauria’s

entered into negotiations with Genoa for the supply of 32 galleys and one galiot crewed by some 7000 men in early 1346. These forces under the command of Carlo Grimaldi did not arrive until after the English had crossed the Channel, won a resounding victory at Crécy and marched on Calais. Grimaldi, however, managed to intercept and take 25 English supply ships a fortnight after the siege had begun in early September 1346. He insisted, however, on taking his galleys into winter quarters at the end

defend coastal districts. The reaction from areas which felt vulnerable is well exemplified by a petition to Parliament from Scarborough in 1383. The ‘poor burgesses’ of the town plead that the town is ‘open to the sea’ and ‘from one day to the next’ is attacked by French, Flemish and Scots raiders. Vessels worth 2000 pounds have been taken and the town will be destroyed if no action is taken. They then plead for the right to press crewmen for a barge and a balinger which some burgesses have

alliance with England, followed shortly by the recapture of Dieppe by the French, must have been characterised by an increase in the dangers apparently inherent in seaborne trade. The chances of ships being attacked whether or not they travelled in convoy, whether or not they were ostensibly covered by safe-conducts from a neighbouring ruler certainly increased. Similarly the vessels of any merchant might at times be liable to arrest for naval purposes. English shipping was arrested usually for